This and that...

Every couple of weeks, Carey stops by my office and brings me a 'surprise'.  Usually that means an iced tea from Sonic, but last week it was this orchid.  So sweet.  Now I wonder how long it will survive my care.

 

Yesterday was gray and dreary, and the afternoon brought rain.  Yea!  Not fun to drive in though.  I heard it raining through the night, and today is more of the same.  Rain is supposed to stop by noon, though.  Good thing.  I have a date with one of my grandsons.  He is my little one (not so little anymore) that loves cheesecake, so I think we will go searching.

 

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Knit Together by Debbie Macomber

 

So hard to find time to read lately.  If I read more than two pages without falling asleep, it's surprises me.

 

We've had some foggy mornings this week.  Really have been trying to get enough sleep so that I'm alert for the early morning drives.  I leave before light, and today I didn't get home till after dark.  Quite the change for me.

 

Making it Monday...

Now that I'm working full time, I have a lot less time for my creative outlets. So I take them where I can get them...and sometimes that's at work! 

 

My mug rug was a handmade Christmas gift one year from Mrs. G.  She is a sweet client, and she has a British accent that I love to hear.  She's had some stressful times in the last few months, having just moved into an assisted living facility and having her only child battle a serious illness.  As I was setting my cup down one day, I thought I should remember to tell her that I am still enjoying her gift on a daily basis.  Then I decided to fall back on the old adage...a picture is worth a thousand words.  Out came the cell phone camera.  I didn't take the time to center, or layer, or fancy up the card...just printed, and folded, and called it good...but I did write a message telling her how much I appreciate and enjoy her gift each day.

 

Today Mr. B asked if we had any thinking-of-you cards to send to a male client.  I picked up a store-bought card while running errands.  Unfortunately it was found to be a little too non-masculine.  (What's the emoticon for eyes rolling back in one's head?)  So I thought I'd throw together the most masculine card possible using a photo of something found in the office:

 

He got the humor, but refused to send it.  Thank goodness!  :)


 

Just call me a turnip...

photo credit: http://www.bestinseason.ie/a-z/turnips/

 

You know the old saying, "You can't get blood out of a turnip"?  Well just call me a turnip.

 

Today I had my first treatment for my new malady.  Treatment is to draw blood a pint at a time...sadly it can't be donated due to the medications I'm on...what a waste.  My hematologist happens to practice in a cancer center.  So when I went for the phlebotomy, I was in a room full of people getting their chemo.

 

Here I am a fairly healthy person, surrounded by people who are fighting a battle for their life.  I had a tremendous amount of guilt just sitting their looking healthy.

 

Beside me sat a man who also looked fairly healthy (despite a broken leg).  He was getting a pint of blood drawn also.  We were seated within seconds of each other.  The technicians began their work on us simultaneously.  A few minutes later they were still searching for a vein in my arm that worked, and he was done and drinking his juice.  I said, 'You're done so quick?'  And he said, 'Yeah, but I have to do this for 52 more weeks.'  I very quietly, so only the nurse could here me, said, 'I have to do this for the next twenty years.'  The nurse repeated it to him.

 

I didn't mean to get into a pissing contest.  Nonetheless, I think he felt bad.  I felt really sorry about that.  Funny thing...he sounded exactly like my husband's brother...voice...accent...the whole package.  And so in an effort to kind of breach the uncomfortable moment, I tell him.  'You sound just like my brother-in-law.  It's kind of comforting.'  So he sat there to keep me company long after he needed to.  He eventually thought they might need the chair, so he came and stood by me, and as the second technician was trying yet another vein he put his hand on my shoulder.  And though he didn't say anything, I felt that he was praying for me...that's what my brother-in-law would be doing if he were there. 

 

He eventually took his leave.  It took a full hour and three nurses/technicians to get a pint of blood out of me.  The nurses had to sit beside me on a low stool and hold the needle in my hand with the blood bag beside them on a scale on the floor...making certain that they still had the blood flowing out ever so slowly.  They kept having to tag team as one had her back start aching, and the next had her legs start cramping.  When the bag was finally full...well, full enough-ish...everybody on my side of the room breathed a big sigh of relief, and some smiled and woo-hooed.  I've been giving thanks for them and praying for their healing all day.

 

I go back in two weeks.  I wonder who dreads it more...me...or the staff? 

 

Fish tacos...

It took me years to decide to try fish tacos.  Man.  Think of all the deliciousness I missed over those years.

Last night was the first time I've ever made them at home.  I decided to make them, because I found a package of corn-and-whole-wheat tortillas...they just begged to be paired with the fish.  I dredged tilapia fillets in almond meal, and lightly pan fried them in a little olive oil.  Bought a bag of Asian slaw...mixed the sesame dressing that came with it and a little mayonnaise, and tossed it in the slaw.  And voila!

Took about 15 minutes start to finish.  And they were really good.

I started my full-time schedule this week...work four days, off three.  Add a couple of hours of commuting time, and it makes for long days.  I'm going to be needing some quick and easy recipes to fall back on.


 

What I'm reading Wednesday...

On Gold Mountain by Lisa See.  Another story of immigration to the United States.  This one tells the story of the author's Chinese family.  I've enjoyed her novels Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Shanghai Girls, so it's interesting to read about her family's journey.

Seven random thoughts on the 7th...

1.  Meet Terry the tarantula.  He was lounging on our back porch all day yesterday.  I appreciate his effort to hide one of his 8 legs for my 7 on the 7th post.  I wish I could have put something into the shot to give an indication of his size, but here's a longer view that may give you a better idea.

 

 

 

I don't suffer the same intensity of arachnophobia that I used to pre country living.  That doesn't mean I'm not thankful for telephoto lenses.  :)

2.  I received confirmation of another weird genetic trait this week via a diagnosis of hemochromatosis.  Rack up another one for the Old Egg Syndrome.  I may just have to leave my body to science.

3.  Monday I will be starting my new work schedule.  I am going to be giving the old college try to packing my lunches again, and eating out just one day out of four.  That means I have to put a menu together and do a major grocery shop tomorrow.  Ugh.

4.  Kasey had to be at the office all day yesterday, so I was on grandma duty.  I met the school bus after school and took card-making supplies so  the kidlets could make, write, and send letters to their great-grandmother.  It was really amazing to see how their fine motor skills are improving and how they are really learning and recalling pretty complex stamping techniques.  It makes my heart sing!  I have PLAYMATES!

5.  I am so happy that Autumn is almost here!!!  We are actually expecting our first cool front tonight!  I know it's not the end of our hot weather, but, oh! the promise of Autumn...my FAVORITE season of the year!

6.  I had a coupon for 20% off any one item at Bed, Bath & Beyond, so I made the trek over today.  I found exactly what I was wanting (and have been wanting for a long time).  An OXO salad spinner with stainless steel bowl.  I've also been wanting a microplane for zesting lemons and limes (among other things).  By using the coupon for the spinner, it was like getting the microplane free.  Yea!

7.  I really need to be downsizing my kitchen supplies instead of adding to them.  I find myself spending a lot of time planning a kitchen reno in my head lately.  New floors.  New cabinet color.  New countertops and sink.  A new cabinet with pull-out shelves in the place of the useless kitchen desk built in.  AND completely getting rid of the behemoth island and replacing it with something not quite so huge and a lot more stylish (and even sentimental).


 

Another fun video tip...

I saw this on Michelle's blog.  It looks like so much fun, that I had to share.  I am definitely going to have to try this one with the kidlets.




As fun kitchen-technique tips go, it rivals this one and the one found in this post.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan.  Just downloaded this library ebook to my Kindle.  Can't wait to start it.  Futuristic story where felons are no longer imprisoned.  They are genetically altered so that their skin color 'matches' their crime (red is for murder), and they are released to cope in the world where everyone knows their crime.



 

Sleepover...

 

My friend Pam owns a vacation rental cabin at a nearby tourist spot.  The stars were aligned this weekend...Pam was in town for a few days having left her husband home alone, the cabin wasn't rented out, Carey is out of town for a couple more days, and with the holiday weekend, Mary was off work.  Score!  We had a great time having a somewhat impromptu slumber party.

 

I tried to get a photo of the three of us, but this was the best I could do before my phone battery gave up the ghost.  I really like this picture though...kind of goofy, like the three of us when we're together.